Homefront & Women

The changes that women underwent in the late 1930's and early 1940's affected each and every one of them drastically. Just before the beginning of World War II, women were responsible for cooking, cleaning, taking care of the children, and looking their best. So when the war broke out, it was clear that the Allies would not be able to win the war without the help of their wives. Most "traditional" housewives and mothers turned into wartime workers.

My name is Janice Stevenson. When my husband, Robert, went off to the war to defend our country, I was extremely worried. When I was first informed that I had to go and get a job and that my whole life would change, I was perplexed. I found work in a factory on assembly lines where I manufactured the equipment necessary for war. Luckily, I managed to take a course in welding and made more than twenty-five dollars a week in salary. Guns, fuses, and shells were all in urgent demand, and I had to ensure that with proper welding technique, I could make shells that would help lead to victory for all the men fighting in the war. While I was working, I was constantly being reminded of my husband fighting in the war because of all the slogans that were posted around my workplace. They all had the same message, stating that women needed to support their country by doing more for the war effort. I remember a couple posters that had the slogan" We Can Do It," "Victory Is In Your Hands," and "Women The War Needs You". This type of propaganda is what got me into joining the war effort.

In addition to those in military service or working in war industries or agriculture, millions of Canadians contributed to the ‘total’ war effort by volunteering with organizations such as the Red Cross, or participating in salvage campaigns, gathering everything from scrap metal to newsprint. Through it all, millions of Canadians, including myself, were reading official casualty reports in the newspapers and worried daily about the fate of our friends and loved ones overseas.

This is a picture of me welding the barrel of a shotgun.